Journal box insert



April 9, 1963 F. E. BACHMAN JOURNAL Box INSERT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1960 Invent r" 5 Wed 5. BQC/WWCU? 2m ffl wfi g April 9, 1963 Filed Dec; 25, 1960 F. E. BACHMAN 3,084,982

JOURNAL BOX INSERT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [n Mentor Fea E. Bach/77cm i WWW? fwy 3,084,982 JOURNAL BOX INSERT Fred E. Bachman, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Amsted Industries Incorporated, Chicago, 111., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Dec. 23, 1960, fier. No. 77,951 8 Claims. (Cl. 308-38) The present invention relates to journal boxes and more particularly to combining a plurality of devices that are normally contained in a journal box arrangement in a single unified device or package.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to combine a wear plate, axle stops and waste retainer in a single unified device or package.

Another object is to provide the unified device or package as mentioned, whereby the usual wear plate which is normally welded in position in the journal box is eliminated, and the present device which includes a. wear plate element, may be inserted in and removed from the journal box with facility without welding it or otherwise fixedly securing it in position.

Other objects and advantages are the provision of such a unified device which is much less expensive relative to other multiple individual devices performing the same functions, from the standpoint of the cost of the material thereof, time and labor in putting the device in position in the journal box, and time and labor in repairing or replacing the device.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a journal box arrangement incorporating the features of the present invention, the journal box proper being shown in section and the remaining elements in side elevation;

FIGURE 2 is an end View from the left of FIGURE 1 with one half in elevation and one half in section, and

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the parts making up the unified device or package of the in vention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, attention is directed first to FIGURES 1 and 2 showing the journal box and axle, with the bearing and wedge normally incorporated therein. The journal box is shown as a whole at 12 and as usual includes side walls 14 and 16 and a top wall or bearing element 18. The journal box has the usual access opening 20 at the outboard end and an opening '22 at the inboard side receiving the end portion 24 of the axle 26. lnterposed between the axle and the top wall or bearing element 18 of the journal box is the usual bearing 28 and wedge 30. The details of the bearing and wedge need not be entered into since these members are of standard construction. However, the top wall or bearing element 18 has an under bearing surface 32 through which the weight of the journal box (and the side frame) bears on the axle, through the bearing and wedge, and in other cases through a wear plate which is normally welded to the surface 32. In the present instance that kind of wear plate is eliminated, and interposed between the wedge 39 and surface 32 is an element 34 which is the top element of an integral U-shaped clip 36 (FIGURE 3) constituting one of the elements in the present invention.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 3 showing the details of the clip 36 and the other elements making up 3,fi84,982 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 ice the unified device or package, the clip 36 is preferably made of spring steel having a substantial degree of resilience and having extreme hardness which well withstands the wearing effects normally produced on a wear plate. Extending downwardly from the top wear plate element 34 are side legs 38 which preferably are reduced in width toward their lower ends where each is provided with a transverse channel 40 opening outwardly. Each of the legs 38 is provided with a central cut out portion or large aperture 42 for receiving projections on the side walls of the journal box as referred to again hereinbelow. The top element 34 is provided with slots 44 leading in from the side edges at the upper corners of the apertures 42 providing a central element 46 which is fiat throughout its area and forms the principal portion of the top element or wear plate portion thereof.

A pair of axle stops 48 are provided each having a central narrow shank portion 50 and relatively large end portions 52, the end portions having recesses or notches 54 in the surfaces thereof which in the final assembly of the device become the outer surfaces. The axle stops are detachably mounted on the clip 36 by fitting the shank portions 50 thereof in thecorresponding channels 40, and if desired, these shanks and channels may be so dimensioned as to frictionally hold the axle stops in the clip at least while the assembly is being inserted in the journal box.

Associated with each axle stop is an outer shim 56 having end portions 58 from which tongues 60 are cut and turned in. If desired, the central portion of the shim may be of reduced dimension as at 62. The shim 56 is fitted to the outer side of the axle stop 48 and the tongues 60 are extended into the notches 54 for retaining the shims in position in the journal boxes as referred to below. Inner shims 64 may also be provided. These shims may be similar in outline shape to the shims 56 and at the ends are provided with holes 66 for receiving the tongues 60 which retain the inner shims 64 in place.

The unit or assembly thus made up of the clip, axle stops and shims, and illustrated in FIGURE 3, is inserted as an assembly in the journal box. To insert assembly in place, the side frame of which the journal box is a part is lifted which raises the top element 18 from the bearing and wedge, and provides space for inserting the assembly. Since the clip 36, is of spring metal the legs can be sprung inwardly to enable insertion of their free ends with the other elements thereon through the opening 20 above the axle, whereupon they are turned or twisted into position with the top wear plate element 34 fitted to the upper wall element 18 of the journal box. If preferred, the foregoing step may be done with the bearing and the wedge removed from the journal box, and after the assembly is inserted into place, the bearing and wedge may then be fitted into place. The Side frame is then lowered to rest on the axle, through the bearing and wedge, and through the wear plate element 34 of the clip. In inserting the assembly in place the cut out portions or apertures 42 receive the inwardly extending projections 68, as referred to above, and the interlocking effect thus produced prevents the clip and assembly from being misplaced axially of the axle.

FIGURE 2 shows to best effect the position of the axle stops in the final assembly. The dimensions of the clip 36 are such relative to the journal box that the axle stops are positioned and centered relative to the horizontal, diametrical plane through the axle. A space such as 70 is desired between the axle stop and axle, at each side to avoid constant rubbing of the axle on the axle stops, and to allow a limited amount of lateral displacement of the axle, but this spacing is such as to prevent such movement of the axle beyond certain minimum values. if the axle stops are not accurately dimensioned relative to the spaces between the side walls and the axle, for any given installation, shims such as the outer shims 56 or inner shims 64 or both may be interposed between the axle stops and the side walls of the journal box, by mounting them on the outer surface of the axle stops as explained above, for positioning the axle stops relatively inwardly toward the axle. The outer shims 56 may be considered basic shims and the parts so dimensioned so that these outer shims are incorporated in every installation. If it should be found in any particular installation that additional shims are required one or more inner shims 64 may be mounted on each axle stop.

The clip 36 is so stressed that the legs 38 are self biased outwardly to retain the axle stops in constant engagement with the side walls of the journal box. The axle stops serve the usual function of retaining the waste in the sump of the journal box.

The top Wear plate element 34 functions extremely well as a wear plate due to its hardness and this arrangement eliminates the necessity for welding a wear plate in position as was formerly the case. Extremely great time saving will be effected; previously, in order to replace wear plates that were welded in position, it was necessary to remove the side frame entirely from the car and insert it in order to provide access to the wear plate. In the present instance, the clip 36 which incorporates the wear plate, may be removed easily upon merely raising the side frame to relieve the load thereof on the axle, and then removing the assembly and replacing it.

I claim:

1. In combination with a journal box having side walls and a top wall defining a generally flat bearing surface, an axle end in the journal box, and a bearing-and-wedge between the axle and top wall, an integral U-shaped clip having a top element between the bearing-and-wedge and the top wall and side legs extending downwardly between the axle and side walls, said side wallshaving inwardly extending projections and the legs of the clip having central apertures receiving those projections, and axle stops detachably mounted on the legs lying in a longitudinal and transverse diametrical plane through the axle for limiting sidewise movement of the axle relative to the side walls.

2. .In combination with a journal box having side walls and a top wall defining a generally flat bearing surface, an axle end in the journal box, and a bearing-and-Wedge between the axle and top wall, an integral U-shaped clip having a top element between the bearing-and-wedge and the top wall and side legs extending downwardly between the axle and side walls, axle stops detachably mounted on the legs lying in a longitudinal and transverse diametrical plane through the axle for limiting sidewise movement of the axle relative to the side walls, and shims detachably mounted on the stops and positioned between the stops and side walls.

3. In combination with a journal box having side walls and a top wall defining a generally flat bearing surface, an axle end in the journal box, and a bearing-and-wedge between the axle and top wall, an integral U-shaped clip having a top element between the bearing-and-wedge and the top wall and side legs extending downwardly between the axle and side walls, said clip being made of spring steel and the legs having central apertures therein, and the top element of the clip having a pair of slots therein at each side cut in from the upper corners of the apertures, whereby to provide a central flat portion of the top element forming a wear plate element relatively free of action on or reaction from the legs, and axle stops detachably mounted on the legs lying in a longitudinal and transverse diametrical plane through the axle for limiting sidewise movement of the axle relative to the side walls.

4. An assembly for use in a journal box assembly comprising, an integral U-shaped clip having a flat wear plate top element and downwardly extending legs, and axle stops detachably mounted in the lower ends of the legs, said axle stops each having an intermediate narrow shank portion by which the stop is mounted on the leg and relatively large end portions, said clip being made of spring steel, said legs having outwardly opening channels and said shank portions of the axle stops being received in the channels.

5. An assembly for use in a journal box assembly comprising, an integral U-shaped clip having a flat wear plate top element and downwardly extending legs, axle stops detachably mounted in the lower ends of the legs, said axle stops each having an intermediate narrow shank portion by which the stop is mounted on the leg and relatively large end portions, said legs having outwardly opening channels and the shank portions of the axle stops being received in the channels, said axle stops having recesses in their outer surfaces at the ends thereof, and shims fitted to the outer surfaces of the mle stops, said shims having inwardly directed tongues extending into the recesses of the axle .stops.

6. An assembly for use in a journal box assembly comprising, an integral U-shaped clip having a flat wear plate top element and downwardly extending legs, axle stops detachably mounted in the lower ends of the legs, said axle stops each having an intermediate narrow shank portion by whichthe stop is mounted on the leg and relatively large .end portions, said clip having outwardly opening channels and the shank portions of the axle stops being received in the channels, said axle stops having recesses in their outer surfaces at the ends thereof, and shims constituting outer shims and inner shims, said outer shims having inwardly directed tongues extending into the recesses in said axle stops, said inner shims being provided between the outer shims and the axle stops and provided with openings through which the tongues 0n the outer shims project into the recesses in the axle stops.

7. A combination axle stops, wear plate and waste retainer assembly for a journal box containing a rotating axle portion, a bearing block and a wedge therein, comprising: a metallic retainer member having a substantially flat central portion adapter to be frictionally retained between said journal box and said bearing block, downwardly depending legs formed on each side of said central portion in a manner so as to be generally oppositely disposed about said axle portion when said central portion is received between said wedge and said journal box, channel-like retaining portions formed near the ends of each of said depending legs, said retaining portions being so formed as to have their respective open sides facing outwardly away from each other, and waste retainer members within each of said channel-like retaining portions, said waste retainer members being formed to provide a portion of reduced cross-sectional area engaged with said channel-like retaining portions with end portions thereon of relatively large cross-sectional area, said end portions being urged outwardly against said journal box in a manner causing the inner most surfaces of said end portions to be in proximity to said axle portion thereby serving to act as both waste retaining means and stop means for preventing excessive translational motion of said axle portion with respect to said journal box.

8. In a spring-like clip member having a substantially flat central portion adapted to be received between and frictionally retained by a bearing surface of a journal box and a wedge block supported on an axle portion, spring portions formed at each end of said clip member in a manner causing said spring portions to assume oppositely disposed positions about said wedge block and axle por- 5 tion, said spring portions having a centrally located cut out portion, and a plurality of slots formed within said central portion communicating with said out out portions for substantially diminishing any distortion on said cen tral portion as occasioned by flexing of said spring portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A JOURNAL BOX HAVING SIDE WALLS AND A TOP WALL DEFINING A GENERALLY FLAT BEARING SURFACE, AN AXLE END IN THE JOURNAL BOX, AND A BEARING-AND-WEDGE BETWEEN THE AXLE AND TOP WALL, AN INTEGRAL U-SHAPED CLIP HAVING A TOP ELEMENT BETWEEN THE BEARING-AND-WEDGE AND THE TOP WALL AND SIDE LEGS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY BETWEEN THE AXLE AND SIDE WALLS, SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING INWARDLY EXTENDING PROJECTIONS AND THE LEGS OF THE CLIP HAVING CENTRAL APERTURES RECEIVING THOSE PROJECTIONS, AND AXLE STOPS DETACHABLY MOUNTED ON THE LEGS LYING IN A LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE DIAMETRICAL PLANE THROUGH THE AXLE FOR LIMITING SIDEWISE MOVEMENT OF THE AXLE RELATIVE TO THE SIDE WALLS. 